The World United Through Football

Holland 1 – Germany 2

This was a game that Holland couldn’t afford to lose; even a draw would mean the Dutch would have to beat Portugal. Holland had to beat Germany to ease the pressure, so that puts them under pressure before they start.

In the early minutes, Robin Van Persie (for Holland) and Mesut Özil (for Germany) both had half chances; Özil’s shot hitting the post. Otherwise it was mostly pass it around football from both sides.

Holland 0 – Germany 1
At times Mario Gomez doesn’t seem to be doing anything then springs to life to score. And so it was in the 23rd minute, for the second time in this tournament.

Bastian Schweinsteiger it was who threaded the ball and Gomez performed something of a pirouette to accompany the rolling ball between two defenders then slot the leather home.

It all seemed to come from nowhere and appeared so easy. The German fans could start to stomp and sing. The Dutch looked on; shocked into silence.

Holger Badstuber should have made it two but, with no orange shirts in sight, headed an Özil free-kick straight at the Dutch keeper.

Holland 0 – Germany 2
Then in the next forward move, Germany did make it two. Once again Schweinsteiger stroked the ball forward, the Dutch defence were caught flat and Gomez fired the ball over Stekelenburg, who was caught sprawling on the floor too early.

Germany haven’t even seemed to slip into gear yet but very nearly made it three before the break.

Half-time: Holland 0 – Germany 2

Holland needed some more fire power to get back in this game so Rafael van der Vaart and Klaas Jan Huntelaar replaced Mark Van Bommel and Ibrahim Afellay for the start of the second half.

For the first ten to fifteen minutes of the second-half, Germany continued to stamp their authority on the game.

The Dutch fans tried to provide an extra man effect with their vocal support but it wasn’t working; although Van Persie did force a save from Manuel Neuer and Wesley Sneijder saw a shot fly wide.

Holland 1 – Germany 2
Finally Van Persie managed to hit the ball cleanly from the edge of the area, to give Holland something to play for in the final fifteen minutes.

There was an edginess to the closing stages but the Germans held fast.

This second win means Germany only need a point against Denmark while Holland will be looking for a miracle.